Cody Gakpo is Not Bobby Firmino, but he Could be Better

Liverpool’s signing of Cody Gakpo in the 2022-2023 January transfer window seemed to come out of the blue.

While his name was being linked with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, in addition to summer rumors involving Leeds United and Southampton, the Reds swooped in and secured his services in a deal Andy Hunter of the Guardian reported to be in the region of £35 million (excluding add-ons).

On the face of it, the Dutch signing was a curious one. Liverpool’s need for more talent in the center of the park was obvious, even at that point, and there was no need for someone who seemed most comfortable on the wing thanks to a wealth of talent in those areas already.

But since moving to Merseyside, he has played mostly in a center-forward role, filling the position Roberto Firmino made his own. While Gakpo has shown flashes of adaptation, if he’s going to fulfill the Brazilian’s obligations in Klopp’s system, he’s still got a bit to learn.

The Dutch international was getting the hang of dropping into a deeper position in defensive phases, allowing Liverpool to build from the back and use him as a focal point in the middle of the park, allowing one of Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez or Luis Diaz to sprint down the wings to stretch the field. He’d then join the attack as a target in the center.

Gakpo notched seven goals and three assists in 21 Premier League appearances. It took him a while to get going, scoring his first goal after seven appearances in all competitions (it coming against Everton was an added bonus), but he always looked a threat, and his skill and ball retention, as well as his willingness to track back, endeared him to the Kop and made him look like a worthy successor to the man Reds fans called Bobby.

The high point was undoubtedly in the 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United. Gakpo scored two and caused absolute havoc among the Red Devils’ back line, scoring one from a left-wing position and the other from a center-forward spot. Klopp has long valued positional versatility, and his capability to switch with Nunez, who can also play in the middle or on the wing, will give Liverpool an edge next season.

In Firmino’s first full season under the tutelage of Klopp, after adapting to a false-nine position he would make his own, the Brazilian scored 11 and had 10 assists as the tip of the forward spear.

The following season, flanked by Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, he boosted his goal tally to 15 despite seeing a dip in his assists to seven.

Gakpo should be aiming for the former in the 2023-24 season but could comfortably get the latter. Having six months in competitive action with the players he’ll go into this season alongside should make him feel pretty comfortable, and he’s already shown some chemistry with Nunez and Salah, in particular.

Assessing Gakpo on his time at Liverpool so far, he’s shown more promise than production in the early going.

Considering Liverpool’s struggles last season and the continuing changes of tactics and personnel, it’s arguable he performed just as expected.

But the upcoming season, just as it will be for a few players in the expected starting XI, will be a defining campaign. The 24-year-old can make that £35 million initial fee look like even more of a bargain and infuriate those who missed out on his talents.

With Firmino now gone, Gakpo can make his case as an irreplaceable component of the forward ranks, which will likely see some hefty rotation to fit in all of the talent at Klopp’s disposal.

If he can bag a couple of goals in the first few games, the confidence will set him up nicely for the rest of the season. and Firmino’s Premier League season high of 15 goals certainly looks attainable.